A Machel's Dozen

Okay so, 2026 has now seen Soca supernova, Machel Montano, overtake the legendary Lord Kitchener (and everyone else) in securing his record twelfth Trinidad Road March title. It's taken him not even thirty years to accomplish (which is very low if you think about it: It averages greater than a staggering two wins every five years) and that definitely deserves an 'Encore'! It also deserves quite a bit of recognition and observation and today we're doing our part! Let's take a look back at the road to #12: A Machel's Dozen. 

1997 - 'Big Truck'

Nearly three decades on now and although it has aged, you can still CLEARLY see the attraction to Machel's first Road March winning effort, 'Big Truck', as still a member of the Xtatik Band. As most certainly basic as it was (and still is), 'Big Truck' was also damn infectious (....and it still is) and, in retrospect, absolutely perfect for the road. The music has definitely changed over the past thirty years but its core appears to remain intact and 'Big Truck' was your locked and stocked Soca tune that checked all the boxes and.... it still does.

2006 - 'Band Of De Year[BODY]' featuring Patrice Roberts

It would be nearly a decade before Machel would take the road again and when he did.... I'm fairly confident in saying that 'Band Of De Year' is my single favourite song that Montano has ever done that has actually won Road March (I may favour others (like 'Rollin', for example) that didn't take home hardware but 'BODY' is at the top of this particular mountain). Why, exactly? First of all I absolutely love the fact that it not only finds a melody in the madness but its melody almost threatens to overwhelm the chaotic nature of the song at times and, at its end, that's what happens. You walk away from this one lost in some non-rage inspired fit of euphoria and it is GORGEOUS! Machel's music typically does that when he's in-form but this is even higher than 'usual'. Furthermore, the song brings back a time when Machel Montano routinely paired with someone whom I think he did some of the finest work of his entire career with, the PERFECT sidekick, Patrice Roberts. Someday, HOPEFULLY, we'll get it back but what they left us with was top notch and few were better than 'Band Of De Year'. 

2007 - 'Jumbie'

I just told you about a song that I thought may be my favourite on this entire run and while I'm standing by that (at least for the moment), if something were to push it or come in as a '1B' it would likely be the song which would net Montano his third Road March title, the very next year following his second, the ghostly 'Jumbie'. Again: Maybe you aren't the biggest fan of Soca and Power Soca, in particular, but listen to this song. Isn't it catchy and just nice to listen to?? Maybe it is a bit too much for you and that would be what would separate you from Soca head but somewhere in there is just A VIBE! What came with that vibe was ridiculous. It was heinous and it was disgusting and I loved every second of it. 

2011 - 'Advantage'

Ridiculous to think that it's now fifteen years old, 'Advantage' is another of the best of the bests for me on this list and it's very simple; I won't overstate it AT ALL. 'Advantage'. 'Advantage' was a BEAUTIFUL MADNESS. It was insanity "of a certain kind" (biggup Gentleman) and the absolute highest level possible. It did not sacrifice a melody -- it's in there -- but this was a refined chaos the likes of which you very rarely encounter.... and an acrobatic Soca Monarch winning performance of this one did not hurt either.

2012 - 'Pump Yuh Flag [PYF]'

In its day and probably to this day I may not have given 'Pump Yuh Flag' its due credit. I'm going to owe that fact to a tune by Fay-Ann Lyons by the name of 'Miss Behave' which likely garnered the vast majority of my attention that same year though I will (begrudgingly) admit that 'PYF' was a better choice for Road March (though 'Miss Behave' was a better song!) given what it does. You take a seemingly customary Power Soca tune that very coyly injects a bit of PRIDE on the road and you end up with this one. Lift up your flag, whichever it may be, and be proud of it! DONE!

2014 - 'Ministry Of Road [MOR]'

Sometimes you just run out of space and you need MORE. Machel Montano and co. set out to give you just that with his stellar 'Ministry Of Road' from a dozen years ago now. If such a thing is even possible on a list of songs that are only on the list because of what they've achieved - I think 'MOR' has been a little underrated to a point. It is better than certain tunes here that are more popular and even better regarded by the masses. This song, from purely how it SOUNDS, is top notch and pinnacles with, undeniably, one of the greatest choruses here... and that is definitely something big. 

2015 - 'Like Ah Boss'

"Everyday it's fete

I come out to fete

I bet I feting MORE THAN YOU

It's sweat

I come out to sweat

I wet

I sweating MORE THAN YOU

I come to whine & jam and I sure to catch it MORE THAN YOU!

Cause when I feting off-course

I just do it like a boss

I feting morning and evening!

This is my home, I'm not leaving!

I can't over this feeling!

THIS FEELING! 

I Just want to play mehself

Leave me, let meh play a mas

I just want to whine on something

I CAN'T LET NO BUMPA PASS

Mi pride in the lost and found

Watch me, how I whining down

I all on the dutty ground

And nothing can stop me now!

This whole year, I live for the Carnival

And I know, that it will be magical 

Misbehaving, and I doh care at all

SO DONT TRY STOP MI, I'S A PROFESSIONAL!"

You'll think of LYRICS and Soca and Trinidad and, of course, Bunji Garlin comes most immediately to mind and with good reason but do not sleep on, for what it was, the borderline genius that was ultra-popular 'Like Ah Boss'. 

2016 - 'Waiting On The Stage'

Maybe it was just me or maybe it wasn't but... wasn't there something kinda EVIL about 'Waiting On The Stage'??? The Badjohn Republic produced track had this wickedly intoxicating and pulsing intensity behind it that makes it a standout even amongst one or two songs that I may hold in ever so slightly higher regard. With that being said, however, make no mistake about it: Whatever 'Waiting On The Stage' had going for was well powerful enough to see it sitting at least in range of the very best material that Montano has ever done in my opinion. 

2018 - 'Soca Kingdom' featuring Super Blue

Here's a really interesting one. On paper, 'Soca Kingdom' lights up. It links Machel Montano with the legendary Super Blue who is, himself, one of the most decorated Soca stars in history; with TEN Road March titles of his own and a record SEVEN Soca Monarch crowns (including the first one ever) (and he's also, biologically responsible for even more hardware as the father of both multi-time Road March champion and former Soca Monarch, Fay-Ann Lyons and Terri Lyons (who just won her second Calypso Monarch crown this year). So you bring THAT type of talent to one song and it's no surprise the attention that it would receive. As for the actual song, while I can't call it a favourite of mine anymore, I have to confess that that, SOMETHING happens to me when I hear the beginning of 'Soca Kingdom'. Possibly because I haven't heard it much in recent years (but whatever it is), when this tune jumps on I get the feeling that something IMPORTANT is about to happen. That intro before what ultimately becomes the chorus is.... royal and wholly befitting of a kingdom with two kings. 

"FORWARD IS NOT ENOUGH

I WANT YOU TO JUMP UP" 

2019 - 'Famalay' featuring Bunji Garlin & Skinny Fabulous

There was just all kinds of magical goodness behind 'Famalay'. RIDICULOUSLY, the song would mark the very first Road March win by the great Bunji Garlin as former rivals, Montano & Garlin, would unite to produce, arguably, one of the most memorable Soca songs.... like ever. Furthermore, not to be forgotten is the presence of the always flaming Skinny Fabulous who would become the first non Trini to win Trinidad's Road March. What the trio would come up with was absolutely fantastic and it was also heavy, Power Soca music with a message. 

"We don't see race, one or the other

ONCE HE IS BREATHING ON THIS EARTH, HIS IS MY BROTHER"

The fitting unity anthem checked lyrical boxes. It was infectiously chaotic and one of THE best songs either of the three have ever done. Perfect for the road. 

2025 - 'Pardy'

TRINIDAD most certainly didn't need a reminder but maybe you did: Sometimes you just need to reward yourself for all of that hard work you do. Sometimes you have earned the right to misbehave in a major way. That was the sentiment behind Montano's hit, 'Pardy', which took top honours just last year. Produced by both XplicitMevon and BadJohn Republic, 'Pardy', in retrospect, was an affirmation of something that I've known for a very long time. Soca IS the musical reward of your hard efforts. It just is. It is the musical shot of dopamine that we all require once in awhile (or like all the time) and such a thing definitely deserves celebrating. Enter 'Pardy'. 

2026 - 'Encore'

And for #12, unsurprisingly Montano captured attentions and affections with the GOLDEN 'Encore'. Where 'Pardy' was a celebration of some very particular aspect of things, 'Encore ' was a FULLER experience. It was a total ceremony of a damn song and, following all that preceded it, it was completely appropriate. Get into the body of 'Encore' and attempt to detach it from any type of greater significance and you arrive at such a BEAUTIFUL level of delirium ["SHOW THEM THE TIME OF THEIR LIFE!"], showing a master still well within the peak of his abilities. That's it for now but Machel Montano certainly figures to add at least one more jewel to his gaudy catalogue which is already unmatched in the genre. 

Spice MAD 2024

Okay so, in case you did not pay any attention (and you probably did not) to the Carnival season in Grenada this year, I just wanted to let you know that you screwed up. You made a mistake, but I still love you and I have your back. Spice Mas this year produced some TRULY big tunes and, because your missed out, I thought that we'd catch you up on some of the biggest of them all from some of the island's (and Soca's, in general) most talented stars. Here is a very brief look back at one of the best seasons of music that Grenada has had, in my opinion, in quite a few years: Spice Mas 2024.

'Sweet Home' by Boyzie

First up is a tune that actually took home some hardware this year as someone who I've always wanted to spend more time talking about (going to have two opportunities today and the that was a pretty large part of the motivation to do this feature) did what he always does and scored a big hit that would net him his second consecutive Groovy Monarch crown in Grenada. The ever-talented "Mad Ras", Boyzie, charted with delightfully patriotic 'Sweet Home' via the Oil Down & Saraca Riddim from Xpert Productions. Boyzie may not be as heavily appreciated in the genre at its highest levels that his gifts would seem to merit (the man can literally do it all) as is evidenced by this song contrasted to the very next one that I'm going to tell you about. That being said, however, if you are fortunate to know who he is and have heard his work, you know exactly the flame that burns there. 'Sweet Home' was a tune like many that you've heard before, giving honour to the most beautiful region on the planet, but it has RARELY sounded this sweet and it came through absolutely effortlessly from a genuine reigning master of the genre.

'Chaotic' by Boyzie

To my opinion, Boyzie is even better in the Power category of Soca music and although he wouldn't take home the Power Monarch win this year (gonna tell you who did win it in just a minute), the multiple time Power champion (personal favourite of mine being 'Mas Everywhere' from about a decade ago) (I could name about five others on that same level, easy) ["CALL THE AMBULANCE! CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE!"] did show up in a major way with the HUGE 'Chaotic'. This tune is exactly what you want from a powerful modern Soca track. It's addictive. It's emotional. It's kinda pissed off at something and it displays all of that while MAINTAINING A MELODY. You can jump up to 'Chaotic' you can... take your clothes off (or someone else's). You can do a variety of stuff which may or may not be very important at all and that is the point: There is no point. It is a celebration of a feeling and if you feel have something on your mind that you're looking to burn off, 2024, as a whole, produced very few finer moments than 'Chaotic'.

"THEY FEEL LIKE I JOKING WITH THEM, WHEN I CATCH THEM IT'S OVER!"

'Different Levels' by Tallpree

Of course, it wouldn't count as an actual trip to Greenz without checking in on the incomparable Tallpree. This season the veteran mined DIAMONDS with his big tune, 'Different Levels', which (by the slightest of margins), was my favourite overall from Spice Mas 2024. To my opinion, there's a certain sound that Grenada Soca has. It is not refined AT ALL (Machel Montano and Destra you will not find) but there's kind of this GORGEOUSLY rugged sound at the core of its appeal and charm (think of people like Lavaman (whose tune I may or may not put in here and Lednek). If you want a perfect example of that, listen to 'Different Levels'. 'Different Levels' is FILTHY. It's intoxicating. It's beautiful and for someone like Tallpree, who has spent AGES making big tunes, it's one of the best he's done in recent times.... at least.

I wanted to come back and mention that though I lack the musical... technical knowledge to describe it - There is one part of 'Different Levels' that just makes it downright MAGICAL. I think it is a keyboard sound it's the one that you hear constantly but it isn't necessarily LOUD and it often gets overpowered. THAT! Whatever the hell THAT is.... DAMN! 

'Not From Here' by Lavaman

Biggup Travis World, the mastermind (biggup Mastermind) Lavaman's very cool 'Not From Here'. There's a BOUNCE behind this tune (you can hear it right at the beginning and then it remains back there) which almost gives 'Not From Here' an old school Dancehall sound and then laid atop it is this stunning tropical blend which professional chaos creator, Lavaman uses to OFFICIALLY declare something that we've all known for years: He ain't like the rest of us.

'The Tape' by Dash

Lastly, the big winner of Spice Mas 2024 was Dash who captured both the Power Soca Monarch title as well as Road March and did so on the strength of the same tune.

"About four o'clock in di morning, I hear my door knock and I'm wondering who's that

'WE HAVE A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST!'

I SAY, 'WHO ME?'

HE SAY 'YES!'

Are you sure?

Yes it's you

What I do?

HE SAY 'MASH UP PEOPLE PARTY AND THE VENUE!'

Man ah steups and ah sigh

Since when that is a crime?

Evidence build up high

They say 'the tape it doesn't lie!'"

Dash comes from the same school of making Soca as the great Bunji Garlin. HIGHLY lyrical he produces these GEMS and although I was surprised by the success that 'The Tape' would net him, it was because of the style of the tune. It does not SOUND like a Power Monarch winner or a Road March.... BUT IT IS LETHAL. 

'The Launch?': A review of "Soca Gold 2012"

I'm currently of the opinion that, if we haven't gotten there already, one of the years in the immediate future - meaning in the next half decade or so - will be looked upon as being a landmark one for Soca music. All signs currently point to it being a genre which is ready to explode on the more 'mainstream' market and when it does, it will do so as a COMPLETELY supported and established art form. Until then, however, we can really see the music beginning to gather more and more attention from atypical fans across the globe and, in doing so, it is a virtual state of PREPARING to reach higher heights and it's gotten [remained] damn interesting to watch and hear along the way. Of course we can [and will] get into the artists who you might expect to see as the dominant names of the music, leading it into the future (like Patrice Roberts), but if you really started to think about it, you're likely to come away with of the mind that THE single biggest name in Soca music isn't actually an artist or a song or a producer or a legend or . . . Any of those things. NO! Probably the best known Soca-ish entity to more casual fans (and there are A LOT of them) is what? Of course, it's an album and that album is called "Soca Gold" and it comes via VP Records. Not Machel Montano, not Bunji Garlin, not Bunji Garlin, not Fay-Ann Lyons (no more on them later) (NONE OF THEM), not . . .  not even Kevin Lyttle - none of them are as popular as "Soca Gold" and, if I am correct in my predictions, obviously the existing face of an entire genre which is about to see itself reach previously unseen heights has a pretty substantial responsibility to be better than it ever has before, right? Right??? Well, not necessarily. My thinking now is that, unlike its still far easier accessible (in the literal sense) cousins, Reggae & Dancehall, Soca may very well be in the position where "Soca Gold" is SO much more well known than anything else in the music, in the more conventional sense, that it can pretty much do whatever it wants - all of the time. And, when you combine that with the fact that the actual music, itself, tends to be pretty spectacular, what you really begin to see is an album which, potentially, can make stars on its own. It doesn't even matter who they might be!

"Soca Gold"

Perhaps that might explain my incredibly mixed feelings when actually looking upon the latest installment of the mineral based series, "Soca Gold 2012". I just didn't know what to expect and that surely has something to do with the nature of the music itself. If you were to ask me to sum up the quality of Soca in 2012, I don't even know that I would be able to come up with something even remotely comprehensive (ME!) (I can be comprehensive about a quarter of a verse). I like it. I think it was the worst scene in recent memory. The best songs from it would have stood well against the best of FAR better years. All of that stuff applies and I could defend it, but they all kind of go against one another.

Soca Silver 2012

And it is somewhere within that most appropriate madness that "SG 2012" draws its substance because, in the midst of all of the over thinking and prognosticating, we do have an album to deal with and, as usual, it immediately becomes a project which is going to bring out those who think it missed a lot (I think that I'm going to be one of them this year) and those who think that it's pretty good as it is (I may be one of them too).  Last year, looking back, "Soca Gold 2011", actually did fairly well in bringing it all together and while the ultimate full reaction was somewhat negative, I think that album may just belong in the lower portions of the top half of the life of the series in its quality. As for this year's addition, I'm relatively certain that I won't be saying a similar thing about it in 12-13 months, but I just as just as surely won't be slamming it into the ground either - I think it's better than most people are going to give it credit for being, but it, by no means, is anything approaching amazing. That's even more interesting when you consider that, already, 2012 has been a large time as far as Soca albums go. Not only have there been big drops from the aforementioned likes of Bunji Garlin ("iSpaniard", his first album in entirely too long), Machel Montano, Destra Garcia, Farmer Nappy (more on those last two in a minute) and others, but we've also seen movement in terms of the BIG Soca compilation. While I'm pretty sure the "Best of The Best" release has not and will not run for 2012, in its stead have been SIZABLE pieces such as the very well received "I Am Soca", the even weller (not a word) (at all) received "We Muzik Vol. 1" as well as "Champion Soca", which I think may be the literal 'descendant' of "BoTB". Neither one of these will EVER come close to being what "Soca Gold" has become and nor will any of the others, (some of) which (I'm really looking forward to) are forthcoming later in the year, but what they do is to provide a HEALTHY alternative/accompanying piece (because they're going to get this as well), for more hardcore Soca heads. And, again if I'm correct and I usually . . . well, nevermind - those compilations are also going to get a vast amount of new eyes and ears tuning in and I should also say that I cannot ever remember seeing as many Soca riddim albums in any two or three seasons that I've already seen in 2012. Soca music is ready to explode and when it does, it'll be taking all of this with it, but especially (me), "Soca Gold". But if it does manage to happen this year will the largely guaranteed first stop of all of these new fans be a fun one? Kind of. 

As I said, there is so much in the way of BIG names which you won't find on this album and that's really too bad. Ostensibly, such an album should always attempt to showcase the absolute best and, while you do get quite a few, it always saddens me when this album reaches and there is NO Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin or Fay-Ann Lyons, particularly when one of them, Montano, had the single biggest song of the season - again. With that being said, however, there is a nice cache of names on board "Soca Gold 2012", one of which gets us started as 'De Boss', Iwer George follows up his big tune from 2011, the MASSIVE 'Come To Meh', with the not quite has huge, but still pretty good and furious 'Jab [No Pain]'. Not surprisingly, the two songs are pretty similar (if it's not broken . . . ), with last year's version obviously still be the favourite, but this tune is also very attractive, largely due to its unrelenting pace and the fact that it finds the Jab Jab addict a little hilariously pissed off that he didn't win Soca Monarch last year (I wonder what he'll do next year, because he didn't win this year either). I've got not a problem at all with this tune and the more I listen to it (even now), I like it more and more. Skipping ahead a bit, on the third tune on the album we find series staple, Lil Rick, with 'Work'. I'm not crazy about this one anymore, even after a few listens, but it's something you've come to expect from "SG" and Lil Rick as well. What's funny is that I could probably play this song for a casual fan and have it elicit a variety of emotions (the pacing of this song is just ridiculous), but if you've paying attention it's a bit on the tame side! The always interesting Swappi wraps up the opening of the album (actually, Lil Rick does), with the extremely infectious, 'Bubble On A DJ'. I don't even know if this tune qualifies as actual Soca music, it's kind of electric and techno and it's very odd and I'm not even going to call it a good song. It's DAMN infectious, however, and while it checks in at track #4, you'll be listening to something else and it will still be at the front of your fucking mind. UNDOUBTEDLY!

'Link Up' by Destra

At the head of "SG2012", for me at least, is a trio of songs which contain my personal favourite two songs from out of Trinidad this year and a very surprising blast from Vincy Mas 2011 as well. You could add a few tunes from Garlin, Montano and Patrice Roberts (also missing) to the bunch, but I don't know that I'd DECISIVELY place any of them ahead of 'Link Up' from the divinity in human form that is Ms. Destra Garcia and/or the chaotic brilliance from Blaxx for the legendary Roy Cape, 'Inna Band'. These are the tunes I look forward to hearing - when the big names do big things - and they have both been solid on players for quite awhile and won't be fading anytime soon. My choice as the single best [DUH!], goes to Destra with HUGE statement making madness which she carried wonderfully for the entire season. 

“HERE WE COME -

DOWN DE ROAD!

ANYTHING DON’T STEP ASIDE WI GO CRUSH UP UNDERNEATH WI LOAD!” 

Joining them is Vincy Soca ace and three time former Soca Monarch, (coming ten thousand strong!) Skinny Fabulous, with the frenetic 'Rumble'. If you like really FUCKED UP and ANGRY vibed Soca music, there're few greater, if any, sources for that than Skinny. The man has simply taken it over and he's done it with tunes like this which don't figure to attract more than a specific type of fan, but fortunately specificity has always been something I've excelled at. And also, while I wouldn't actually place it amongst these tunes, I was very happy to see that Skinny also had another song on this installment of the series. Of course it makes perfect sense for VP to draw 'Rave Out' as it not only features one of their artists, but it features one with a new album running right now, Busy Signal (damn Busy!). I don't enjoy this one as much as I once did, but a pair of songs from Skinny and any involvement from the until recently SCALDING (now he's . . . something else) Busy is a plus for me. 

"Soca Gold 2012" also features a very nice group of songs which, although I won't call them GREAT, are pretty close and there're so many of them that they help to make up the real body of quality tunes present here. Such a tune would DEFINITELY be 'Good Time' from the ever-present Edwin Yearwood (who's been on every one of these). I kind of go back and forth with Yearwood, depending on the year I suppose, but this piece from last year was undeniably strong and, while I don't think that it generated the type of response as some of his other similar offerings in recent years, it was nearly as good as any of them and it's an utter JOY of a tune. Speaking of joy, the incomparable Alison Hinds also returns this year with the hypnotic 'Brace & Wine'. This song is relatively close to more straight forward Dancehall, which is something Hinds has done before and while I'm not all over this one, it has grown on me considerably and hopefully she sets herself on the list by delivering a new album of her own later in 2012 (that would be so nice). Jamesy P also comes close to penetrating the top lot of selections here with the characteristically really song Groovy effort, 'Grapevine' for favourites of ours, Island Traffic Entertainment. I don't spend nearly enough time speaking on the annual splendour of Jamesy P and I really should work on that because what he's done since most people really began paying an attention to him following 'Nookie' a few years back, is to 'merely' become one of the most consistent and quality dependable voices in all of Soca music - a complete GIFT of music and there seems to be not even a hint of him slowing down. That's also readily apparent on this tune on which Jamesy says that he learnt "Vincy gal have de sweetest wine" through the grapevine! BOOM! Also check the cool 'Over It' from up and comer Kimba Sorzano, as one of the title tracks from the aforementioned Farmer Nappy, 'You Make Me'. Both are really nice tunes and keep an ear out for Sorzano, who should be doing big things and also pick up the Farmer's new album, "You Make Me Surrender", today. I'll also, somewhat reluctantly, add 'No Pressure' to this lot from Nadia Batson (who looked SO GOOD this year). This is another piece where my appreciation, or lack thereof, fluctuates a great deal, but as of RIGHT NOW, I'm liking it. Don't ask me again an hour from now, however. And, definitely do check the SWEET 'Roll It' from Hypasounds, who is another one to keep an eye on for the future. 

'Good Time' by Edwin Yearwood

'Keep Talking' is easily the best of the rest, as Lil Rick joins Skinny with a second track on "SG2012". The song is a more lyrical and probably the most such outside of 'Rave Out' and it is not really something too different from the artist. He's been around for such a long time that you have come to expect him to be able to at least attempt to do almost anything, but it does work to a degree here (and how do you critique a tune where the artist already says he doesn't give a damn if you like it???). 'Don't Look Back' is a somewhat funny tune from Big Red also from out of Barbados. It's not amongst my favourites here, but Red is a talented artist, in a very unique way, so check out some of his other tunes (he had a very strange song a couple of years back named 'Action' which I really liked). A pair of big time veterans in Rikki Jai and Lady Saw team up to get drunk and discuss it on the remix for the former's 'De Drinkers Anthem'. I wasn't crazy about the original version of the song, although it did have a nice BIG sound to it and the remix falls behind even it, just a bit. Neither are BAD and the remix does up the intensity a bit, but to my opinion it's somewhat average. And lastly, and somewhat perplexingly is Inches with 'Jiggle It'. Nothing wrong with this song at all (and it's my Daughter's favourite on the album), with the exception of the fact that nothing short of a truly MASSIVE brain injury will get it out of your head (and I mean NOTHING!) - but it is two years old! I know it took awhile to spread out (remember that crazy tune from Triple Kay a few years ago, 'Sousse'? It started to mash up EVERYTHING after it was already two or three years old), but apparently someone at VP LOOOOOOVED it so much that they'd bring it back on this level. Not a HORRIBLE idea, but a surprising one, nevertheless. 

'Shiver' & 'No Pressure' by Nadia Batson

Overall, the bigger picture notwithstanding, it's a decent "Soca Gold" this year. We'll focus more on what's missing, because that's just what we do, but as for what is here, no matter how unusual it is, it's okay and it has enough BIG moments, at least for me. What I would like to see going forward is maybe VP Records would start to do a bit more with the series in the absence of some of the bigger names. I'm thinking of maybe going in the direction of "Ragga Ragga Ragga" this year - where it focused on some of the UK talents predominately, if they could do that with no Machel or Bunji or Fay-Ann, then I think that would be an excellent mix up for a season. Another idea might be to just change when "Soca Gold" releases so obviously you'd have more current songs at your disposal. In any case I do think it's time for a bit of a change, especially if/when this music begins to get a great deal more exposure. So, while you will find better Soca compilations in 2012, "Soca Gold" continues to and will continue to fly the flag for an entire genre which should be BOOMING across the globe any minute now. 

Rated: 3.25/5

VP Records

2012

CD + Digital

Review #364

Destra 2012!

We have a lot of work ahead of ourselves which is a fact that I'm not terribly thrilled with because I'm lazy, but I have to say that when I saw this, it got my blood running just a bit. Carnival 2K12 is well on its way and it's damn time to get excited about it! To mark the occasion, the reigning and defending World's Most Wonderful Human Being, Ms. Destra Garcia has redone her website and everything else apparently. It's Destra 2.0 with the new look and I'm waiting and waiting for that big tune to drop. So definitely check out Destra's blazing website, MyDestra.com (not yours, mine!) and also pick up some of her recently erupted catalog which is all over the digital scene now - Which means you don't even have to get off your ass to make it happen.

{Note: Fun things tomorrow}
{Note 2: We actually got a press release from Destra's PR people}
{Note 3: WHAT!}

Ricky T: 2011 St. Lucia Soca Monarch

Okay so, in a very predictable occurrence, Ricky T has just captured yet another Soca Monarch crown in his native St. Lucia with his tune, ‘Madd Ting’. I do have to say that while I did predict Ricky T would win, his wasn’t my favourite of the night. I think that you should have to do something SPECIAL to capture a crown and what was special about Ricky T’s performance was his crowd reaction. There was SPECIAL on that stage, however, it appeared twice. Once via Superman HD, who did, as I suggested that he may, have Mr. Killa with him to perform ‘More Mash Up’, which was insanity and my choice as the second best moment of the night (he would take second, Teddyson John, who had a very nice performance and the first good one of the night, would take third). The best went to a Sir Lancelot who (literally) combined water and powder on his MIGHTY tune ‘Soca Riot’, which I thought should have won, but . . . Yeah that’s just me.

'Soca Riot' by Sir Lancelot

Not too many good performances outside of those. The best of the rest was defending champion, DJ HP, and Ilah Man did respectably also, while others, such as Ambi, disappointed in my opinion.


But there you have it, once again, Ricky T is St. Lucia Soca Monarch 2011 and I do have to confess ALWAYS seeing that crowd go that mad does something for me, so biggup Ricky T.

Check back later today for a little visual treat from a favourite of ours.

Stuff: Inferno

I really hope you're not looking down here to figure out who that is

Yow!
I told you not to worry! I’m back! I’m not going to be sticking around for too long, however, but you’re likely to have me for the next week if you care (and you probably don’t) and then I’ll finish up my hiatus - And return sometime in August (after I, miserably, turn 30) (I wasn't actually planning to come back writing so quickly, but something nice caught my attention and I kind of knew that it would at some point) (oh and if you do blog, you know this stuff is like therapy and I did miss it). I didn’t want to make this too long (because it's two weeks ago now), but biggup Fireman Hooper, winner of St. Vincent Soca Monarch 2011. What can I say? I had absolutely no problem with him winning. I did think Skinny Fabulous did excellent (albeit in a VERY chaotic manner), but the Fireman was top notch and although I do always lean more towards Skinny, I just have to give the man credit - Fireman is ALWAYS top notch - No exceptions and it was great this year, with a special cameo appearance from none other than Shrek. I would think that Skinny might think to take off 2012 (maybe make a song directly for TnT (just a thought) and come back in '13) because a lot of people seemed to want to see him lose this year, but I more than got what we went looking for. Skinny Fabulous is a fantastic artist and one of the greatest Soca performers of his time, so big him up - But it's all about the 'Animal' in 2011 as Fireman Hooper takes the honours in SVG for the 927th time (and biggup the oldest man in the world, Gao, for taking the road) (and keep an eye out for Fya Empress) (and biggup Jamesy P) (and Problem Child). Just more and more vibes for THE idea of all ideas which I’ll tell you about a week from now.

'Animal' by Fireman Hooper

In other Soca news, completely unrelated: Tonite (Saturday) is St. Lucia Soca Monarch 2011. I will not be there, but I will be watching (HAPPILY, because I don't give a damn who wins). Who wins??? The only way Ricky T, with 'Madd Ting', isn't taking the crown is if he doesn't perform. He could probably go on stage with no props, no band and just a record, wearing a tuxedo and still win. He could probably simultaneously HUMM his own riddim and deejay at the same time and still win. I'm not terribly fond of the tune, but Ricky T does not need a great song to take Monarch in St. Lucia.

'Madd Ting' by Ricky T

Shockingly (at least to me), he also took the Groovy Monarch competition and Ricky T is mashing up St. Lucia in 2011. However, that's not to say that he isn't without competition. There're some pretty good tunes coming out of Lucia this year. I’m loving efforts from the likes of Ricky's brother, Ambi, Alpha, Mantius (with a Jab Jab???) and a few others (like defending champion, DJ HP). In my opinion, although Qpid is mysteriously absent from the final list (at least the one we saw) (placing that phrase here is just terrible, terrible writing! It's awful, but I'm rusty, so please accept my apologies), I think the main competition comes from Pringles with 'More Mash Up' and Achis Reggae favourite, Ilah Man with 'Destruction'.

'More Mash Up' w/Mr. Killa by Superman HD [aka Pringles]

'Destruction' by Ilah Man [This song is fucked up!]

The former is interesting because should Pringles draw Mr. Killa on the stage, he may very well have a chance to pull an upset, as the two link for another season with BIG results. Ilah Man, of course, has absolutely no chance (he's been robbed before), but I LOVE that damn song! MAD! Also, it should be said that even though CLEARLY this is his tune for Monarch (he even says so in the song), everything I've seen thus far suggests that Ilah Man will be doing 'Vex'. Which is probably a better song . . . But nowhere near as INSANE.

'Vex' by Ilah Man [considerably less fucked up]

And that’s it. If you are headed to St. Lucia Monarch (starting to wish that we were joining you) (it doesn’t take much to get me excited) [your joke here] tonite, definitely have a great time.

So this week, just look forward to a pretty FULL (but strange) week. A couple of reviews (one of which I’m currently half done with) and a “Check It” DEFINITELY (so much nice things around now) and blah blah blah. I’ll probably finish on Saturday and let you know about what we’re working on (even though I kind of told you already).

Bredz, answer your fucking phone! Biggup everyone I don’t feel like naming [Hey Elena!] [biggup yourself Dale Cooper] and yeah! It’s Achis Reggae - Common Sense Deficiency.

BALANCE & No Behaviour
RasAchis

{Note: Biggup the World Cup. We watched a couple of games - Very impressive!}
{Note 2: Tomorrow we pay tribute to . . . A very attractive person who sent us a lot of nice stuff!}

Stuff: The Return

Yow!
I’m back! “And I feeeeeeeeeeel like I just win a million dolluzzzzzzzzzzzzz”!

So yeah, that was that, that was a very refreshing and INTERESTING few days in Trinidad. Trinidad is always so interesting because basically half of my family lives there and we go to meet and it always seems to be a few more family members to meet. Like I’m almost 30 years old (as shit) and I feel like I’ve probably met about a third of my family (and that’s just on my Father’s side) (biggup Mama, whose family has spread everywhere - I’ll never meet all of them). But, in particular of course, biggup my Grannie, biggup my Uncles and biggup the man himself because, just as 'expected', my Father did show up (although I kind of knew he would) and biggup my Mother with whom he, ‘allegedly’, stayed on the phone with his entire trip (married 30+ years and still act like newlyweds).

So that’s that. Now, there was also the matter of a certain Soca Monarch competition and there was the matter, in that matter, that we had two new winners as Machel Montano HD took the biggest title of the night in Power and matching his fete in Groovy was Kes.

Even more impressive than that (not really) was the fact that out of the top eight positions (top four in both), I got seven correct in my predictions and because I predicted Bunji coming in third, I got actual position correct also. So I thought that I’d give my thoughts briefly on both and then tell you what to look forward to around here in March.

So, the top four in Groovy were:

Kes Groovy Soca Monarch 'Wotless'

1. Kes
2. Benjai
3. Destra
4. Blaxx

My Thoughts

Kes did one of the best performances I’ve ever seen in my life and outside of calling up Lord Nelson, he didn’t really do anything too special. He just had a HUGE tune, ’Wotless’ (which I underestimated) (never again) and huge energy as well. When you do that, it’s pretty hard to lose. But Benjai did manage to do just that with ’Trini’, his performance was excellent as well, but he had neither the tune nor the energy of Kes. Destra didn’t do her best, but she still managed to come in third. Like I said, I’m picking Destra for EVERYTHING (and if they wanted to cancel the entire event and just give her everything, I’d go home with a smile), unless there was a WALL and Kes was definitely a wall, but Benjai was not and I think she could’ve beaten him with that tune, so hopefully she’ll play again next year (especially in Groovy, I think she can win Groovy). Blaxx also did very good with 'Tanti Woi', but Blaxx barely said two damn words his entire time on stage.

Other Stuff

• I don’t know what happened to Shurwayne Winchester with his ‘we are the world’ song.
  
• Biggup All-Rounder who is like 200 years old, had a blond thing on his head and gold spandex (which my Wife claimed was so tight she spotted male camel-toe) (what a lucky girl). NO ONE had a better time on stage than All-Rounder so DEFINITELY big him up!
  
• Biggup Saucy who did excellently with half a voice as did Patrice, but no one seemed to notice (I did!).
• Ras Star won the Digicel Rising Synergy Soca Trinidad Idol competition and it apparently earned him a spot in Groovy Soca Monarch . . . Ras Star (to my opinion) makes Reggae and hopefully he’ll be steered in that direction because he is well talented (and he looks almost exactly like Revalation) (biggup Revalation).
  
  
  In Power, the tops were:
  
  
  
  Machel Montano Power Soca Monarch 'Advantage'
  
  
  1. Machel
  2. Iwer George
  3. Bunji Garlin
  4. Fay-Ann Lyons
  

My Thoughts

As usual (with the exception of a couple of years ago in recent memory) there was controversy here, but if I’m trying to be COMPLETELY impartial (and I am), the top four, completely expected, were in the correct order. The main source of debate here was that a great deal of people thought Iwer deserved to win. He did absolutely AMAZING with ‘Come To Meh’ (although that performance was probably 2 weeks long), but for me Machel’s performance was on the greatest . . . Anythings I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It was Soca in the Matrix and he did what he needed to do to win and then some. If you take that same performance, with the exception of 2009 when we met Superblue, he wins any of the competitions in recent memory in my opinion. I remember reading an article with Bunji saying that he was going to move out of his house to prepare his show away from Fay-Ann and everything and while the performance was good, eventually he relied upon his main skill (more on that on Thursday) (I think) which are lyrics and with a bit of ‘gamesmanship’ towards Machel (which Machel, somewhat surprisingly, started in response to Bunji taking swipes at him in events prior to the show), he did what Bunji Garlin does best and although Machel‘s performance, like I said, was absolutely amazing and he pretty much FUCKED UP everything with that display (and I mean that in a great way), Bunji gave me my own personal height of excitement for the evening (can we just take Bunji and . . . I don’t know pick a fight with someone to get him at Sting this year???) (Kiprich will do it) (Merciless will too (Oooh! Does anyone else think Merciless looks a little like Benjai????).

Merciless & Benjai

I digress. Fay-Ann looked amazing and her performance. Fay-Ann gave Soca Monarch blue balls with all of the pausing, but eventually everyone did what you usually do in such a case and took matters into our hands. Fay-Ann doesn’t even have to approach doing her best to thrill and after watching her performance - That song is LIVING in my brain and it isn’t going anywhere - ‘Consider It Done’.

Faya-Ann Lyons At Soca Monarch 'Consider It Done'

Other Stuff

• Shal Marshall did EXCELLENTLY with ‘Doh Drag De Flag’.
• JW & Blaze clearly had no chance of a repeat, but everybody warmed up to them throughout their performance (especially when they admitted that they wished they had ‘Palance’ again this year) (‘Wild & Frisky’ was their tune).
  
• Also doing pretty well, to me, was Patrice & Nadia Batson (they even called up Roy Cape) and even Tian Winter.
• After having watched the song presented, I think ‘Fetting For Days’ may’ve been more of a Groovy song actually.
• Skinny Fabulous didn’t do great (didn‘t do bad either) with his tune ‘Charge Up‘ in a third Soca Monarch competition, but if they keep allowing him to participate in the competition (and they are, because he’s NEVER going to lose in Vincy), one of these years he’s going to figure out how to win.
• Destra did a song, ‘We Own It’, which I didn’t expect her to do (was looking forward to ‘Welcome Me Back’), and she didn’t do too well and just stopped all of a sudden . . . BUT! Destra wins cutie of the night (with the greatest respect to Mrs. Achis who looked exquisite as she always does) because she looked damn delicious laying in that bed and she looked nice in the second half of her Groovy performance also.
  
• Three years running now (four actually, because Fay-Ann should have won with ‘Get On’ in 2008) that the tune that wins Road March also wins Soca Monarch (presumably, of course, but no way in hell Machel doesn’t take the road at this point).
  
• Biggup Daddy Chess who repeated as Dominica Soca Monarch as well.
  

And I think that’s it. Blood also did pretty good and Cassi did too in Groovy, but I’m all Soca Monarch-ed out and that will be it. It is in our plans to reach Soca Monarch in St. Vincent again this year (I believe that’s in July) and that’ll wrap it up for us as far as traveling away, although if I get the same offer to go to Spice Mas this year that we did last year . . . Doing that! And I just want to say that we had an EXCELLENT time and biggup everybody who even performed because I couldn’t do that shit. Oh! And this call of ‘anybody from Grenada. Anybody from Alaska. Anybody from Nebraska. Anybody from Pluto . . . ‘ - And saving Trinidad for last because you think it’s going to make the crowd remember where most of them are from - That shit is evil and it needs to stop, I swear ten people had to have done that bullshit and I fucking HATE it.

ALRIGHT! It’s a new month - What’s going on? Let’s see!

The Message Riddim

• Tomorrow I’m catching up with a big ‘Coming Soon’ post because obviously no one else is doing that for you.
  

• Reviews! Where else in the world can you get hard hitting (not really) thoughts on Soca Monarch and a review of Paille’s new album ”Inflammable”? We also have a review of Anthony B’s new album, “Rasta Love” on its way. And you can also look forward to reviews for albums from the likes of the aforementioned Kes. Maybe Singing U, maybe Ed Robinson and maybe even Machel Montano as well. Oh and maybe a double dip from Don Corleon also. And definitely look forward to the next 'Modern Classic' coming pretty soon.
  

• I’ve been in a pretty good mood as of late, so that means random shit. Look forward to a few, hopefully funny, ‘Completely Random Thoughts’.

• A lot of stuff I meant to do last month (which I won’t mention specifically because I don’t want to sound like a broken record) (again), hopefully we can get to in March).

• I alluded to this earlier - Thursday - If you don’t too much listen to Bunji Garlin, definitely find your way back here because I’m going to show you wait (some of) the fuss is about.
  

• I think I have to do a ‘Video Drop’ and I have a few other ideas I’m looking at and of course you can expect the general ridiculousness from Achis Reggae.
  

TUNE?!
Easy one yeah.



{Biggup Bredz who is a SCIENTIST on the computer}

Completely Random Thoughts: Completely Random on Soca Monarch Predictions

Okay, I don’t know if you know it, but coming up on Friday is one of the musical highlights of the year for me - it’s the International Soca Monarch Competition in Trinidad and me, Mrs. Me and Bredz will be there. If you’ve never experienced the event, I know I pretty much call things ‘great’ because that’s . . . Well, it’s just what I do, but when it is as best as it possibly can be - There is nothing like it in the world that I know of and certainly nothing like it in the entire landscape of Caribbean Music, as a whole.

So, I thought that I’d offer up some predictions as to exactly what I feel is (and what is hilariously not) going to happen. Remember: The only thing better than having fun is doing so at your own expense! Let’s go!

Groovy

Destra Garcia - Call Her Soca Monarch

Shurwayne Winchester
Denise Belfon
Destra
Kes
Kerwin DuBois
Chucky
Yankee Boy & Patch
All-Rounder
Benjai
Patrice Roberts
Jahmoun
Blaxx
Megan Walrond
Cassi


'Cool It Down' by Destra


'Wotless' by Kes

Despite the fact that there is rather clearly a favourite emerging as the winner for Groovy Soca Monarch this year, I’m most expectedly going against that grain, but not by too much. As is the case in the Power competition, there must be an actual WALL of others keeping me from predicting the divine Destra Garcia from taking the crown and that’s exactly what I’m doing here. Benjai has a likely winner on his hands with ‘Trini’, but I think that my favourite artist with my favourite Groovy song, ‘Cool It Down’, is definitely going to be my choice here. After that I have Benjai, Kes and . . . . Okay I guess I have to go with Shurwayne Winchester. Despite his song, ‘Manic’, being truly ridiculous. Like Bunji in Power, Shurwayne need not be in his best form to take Groovy Monarch (although this year he will need to be).

My Prediction

1. Destra
2. Benjai
3. Kes
4. Shurwayne Winchester

Dark Horses

'Mas & Wining' by Patrice


'Town Ting' by Cassi

It was mighty difficult putting Shurwayne there instead of Patrice Roberts (and I LOOOOOOOVE her song, ‘Mas & Wining‘), but I am trying to get this right (which will make it even more fun when she wins) and it's going to be VERY difficult to not see Winchester taking a top 4 finish. I will not be AT ALL surprised if Roberts wins (and I will be happy as hell) this year and I think she’s going to win it one year (very soon anyway). Also, while I do not think Saucy can win this thing, I do think that, with a magnificent performance, she can place and also Cassi with ‘Town Ting’ and do lookout (LITERALLY) for the TRULY delightful Megan Walrond with ‘Posse’.

Power

Fay-Ann Lyons Taking The Crown and looking good doing it! Damn!

JW & Blaze
Tian Winter
Shal Marshall
Tallpree
Skinny Fabulous
Machel Montano
Iwer George
Ravi B
Destra
Fay-Ann Lyons
Nadia Batson & Patrice Roberts
Bunji Garlin
Blood
Michelle Xavier


'Consider It Done' by Fay-Ann Lyons


'Hold A Burn' by Bunji Garlin

Heavy Hitters abound in the greatest of them all, Power Soca Monarch, but it seems as if most people are predicting the same four will rise to the top and . . . Yeah, I am too, but I think I’m picking a different winner than most. This competition (like the Groovy which comes armed with usual non-participants Destra and Kes) has both Destra and superstar Machel Montano participating for the first time in 200 years and I think they’ll both do well. Also, as usual, on board are multiple winners Bunji Garlin and Iwer George, as well as defending champions, JW & Blaze. HOWEVER! For some reason, probably because her tune is about as lyrically PERFECT tune for Soca Monarch that I’ve heard in a really long fucking time, I’m going with Fay-Ann Lyons and ‘Consider It Done’! Having either won or placed second in this competition both of the last two years (and if we’re being REALLY honest she also should have won in 2008) (won Road March anyway that year), I think that she is well in her prime and she is PRIMED to win this competition every year for the next four or five in my opinion. I do feel it is wide open and in such years I’d typically favour Bunji, but I think Fay-Ann will do something special (and even if she doesn’t, it will still be amazing, I’m sure). The favourite here is Machel, who actually does have the best tune (more on that in a second) in ’Advantage’ and, again, Bunji has proven that he can do less than his best and still win in the eyes of great performances and his tune, ’Hold A Burn’ (I wonder if anyone else started singing “look out fi di bomb, fi di explosion, look out fi di bomb, fi di explosion” when they first heard that song, besides me) is slowly but surely growing on me. Iwer also has a one of my favourites with ’Come To Meh’ (his best song in a really long time) and Soca Monarch judges love Iwer so I wouldn’t be too surprised if he took it (okay, yes I would be).

My Prediction
1. Fay-Ann Lyons
2. Machel Montano
3. Bunji Garlin
4. Iwer George

Dark Horses

'Feting For Days' by Michelle Xavier


'Welcome Me Back' by Destra

Picking dark horses in this one is really hard because there’s so many GOOD songs and artistes, but I think I’ve narrowed it down to two (and you won’t be surprised AT ALL to know which two). First of all, duh, is Destra who’s power tune is ‘Welcome Me Back’. The song is excellent and it is fitting and, like Machel, although she’s never won a Monarch title, you know she is quite capable of such a performance (Bunji claimed in 2009 that he was, essentially, performing to create a ‘buffer’ of sorts between his wife who had no chance of losing and everyone else. Had they taken the ‘Bacchanal’ performance of Destra out of her ‘halftime show’, he could have faked an injury and went home). Also, there’s Skinny Fabulous who is capable of something special and if they keep letting him in this competition, he may just win it one day. I’d be shocked if it that day was in 2011, but he definitely is a threat to place with a song which I still don’t like too much (though he did serve up my absolute favourite Soca song in 2010 in ‘Scary’), ‘Duracell’. He will almost certainly be surrounded in evil bunnies and if he could actually manage Machel to be one of them, for a rendition of the remix of the tune, Skinny could be an even bigger threat. There’s also the defending champions who shouldn’t be counted out until they actually lose (although I basically have just counted them out), Shal Marshall and Michelle Xavier who have no chances of winning, but I love their songs (‘Doh Drag De Flag’ and ‘Feting For Days’, respectively) and Nadia Batson & Patrice Roberts with another tune I love, ‘We Not Leaving’ (both of them have placed in this competition in the past and hopefully the presence of Patrice can keep Nadia from delivering BY FAR the most complicated instructions to a big ass group of people in the history of the world) (she literally does Feng shui with people at Soca Monarch).

General Thoughts

It's Ladies Night At Soca Monarch

I tapped out while watching the semifinals online (they really need to start doing that over two days, it’s almost SIXTY fucking performances) and I was surprised to see that Blaxx didn’t even make the finals in Power with ‘Trouble’ (I hope he did that song). He did qualify for Groovy and he has a tune, ‘Tanti Woi’, which could do some damage (and hide the fact that he is almost always out of oxygen and trying to scream a song at the same time) (‘Breathless’ indeed). And speaking of not qualifying, there’s no way in hell Fay-Ann even attempted to do so in Groovy, because she has probably my second favourite Groovy song out there with ’Pressure On It’. ANDDD unlike last year (and everyone other one that I can remember paying attention in) they made Grenada qualify and the reigning Grenada Soca Monarch, Otis, didn't make the finals with one of my favourites from 2010, 'Tornado'.

'Pressure On It' by Fay-Ann Lyons

And lastly (on this) I’m VERY pleased to say that you can actually buy songs from Bunji and Fay-Ann on the official Asylum Family Website (next year, maybe, they’ll get to know iTunes and such places on an intimate level).

Oh! And Machel Montano's 'Advantage' wins Road March and does so handily.

While We're Away

‘Ragga Ragga’ (single) by Gappy Ranks [Champion Squad Records/Hot Coffee Music]

The first is a BLAZING new single for UK upstart Gappy Ranks for Champion Squad, ‘Ragga Ragga’. The tune has basically been on fire from the beginning of the year or so and now it’s making its way to the digital market and you can well expect it to be amongst the standouts on Gappy’s forthcoming album, ”Thanks & Praise” also.

Releases Tomorrow
Digital

“Inflammable” by Paille [Don’s Music]

And in stores now is the sophomore release from someone who is truly one of the most inimitable characters in the Dancehall, Paille, ”Inflammable” from the still quite fiery Don’s Music. This album just kind of crawled out because I didn’t even know it had been named or given a release date and, after having spun through it just a bit, it’s the same old Paille with ridiculousness all around, but I will reserve final judgment for a review.

Digital [Probably CD]

And that’s it!

Won’t be gone too long. We’ll be back next Tuesday or Wednesday and you can expect reviews for Paille’s new album, Anthony B’s new album and blah blah blah (maybe Kes' album too) (and FINALLY Don Corleon drops the Message Riddim official release tomorrow, so maybe that too). There will be no cool internet tricks this year and Bredz will be joining us (on Wednesday), so if you need to send me something make sure the link lasts longer than a week and no one do anything interesting while I’m not paying attention like . . . Oh I don’t know, release a Bambú Station album. I’ll see you later and if I never return, know that I went with a smile.

Balance & Absolutely No Behaviour
RasAchis